Stay safe Oslo
I hope that everyone is okay! A good summary article on today's bomb explosion can be found here.
Country: Norway
Dusted reviews Biosphere
Dusted ponders the new Biosphere album "N-plants", weighing its thematic significance against current events: http://dustedmagazine.com/reviews/6562
New Code 64 EP in August
has announced that Swedish/Norwegian EBM act Code 64 will be releasing a new EP called "Deviant" on August 16. Said EP will feature five tracks total including three versions of the title tune (a radio edit + two remixes) as well as a metal cover version by Greek act Sorrowful Angels and, to top it off, a new version of the song "Oblivion".
Årabrot - Madonna was a whore
Norwegian sludge-rock masters Årabrot have confirmed that their new Steve Albini-recorded album "Solar anus" is done and will be released on September 9 via . "Madonna was a whore" is the first sample.
Pfork reviews Biosphere, I Break Horses
Pitchfork gives high marks to the new Biosphere album "N-plants": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15626-n-plants/
They also posted admiringly about a tune from Swedish act I Break Horses: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12257-hearts/
Heroes & Zeros - Salt where the sugar should be
A new single from Norwegian act Heroes & Zeros showing off somewhat of a different less overtly dark/more straight-up indie/psych sound.
Datarock, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, For a Minor Reflection to Culture Collide
Scandinavian acts Datarock, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour and For a Minor Reflection have been added to the lineup of this year's Culture Collide fest in LA: http://culturecollide.com/index.php/news/entry/gang_gang_dance_datarock_men_more_added_to_2011_culture_collide
Pitchfork reviews Jóhann Jóhannsson, Diskjokke
Pitchfork reviews the new soundtrack album "The miners' hymn" from Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson: http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15578-the-miners-hymns/
Also reviewed, the new Diskjokke record "Sagara": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15584-sagara/
This is Music Inc. - Saturday night on the dole
The mysterious and reclusive Norwegian act This is Music Inc. is supposedly the "megalomaniac" solo project Årabrot's ex-bassist Jon Øvstedal, though my understanding is that many other folks contribute to the recording. Anyhow, "Saturday night on the dole" is the first single off their forthcoming album "Krasnapolis", their first new release in many years I believe, which is due out July 1 via .
White Juice preview
Upstart Norwegian mysterious guy hardcore act White Juice are streaming their new cassette release at Bandcamp: http://whitejuice.bandcamp.com/
Features members of Haust, Okkultokrati and Blackest Woods, so you know it's raging.
New Katzenjammer on the way
Norwegian pop/folk act Katzenjammer will be releasing a new album later this year and the first single "When the laughter is gone" is out now http://www.propellerrecordings.no/katzenjammer-releases-first-single-in-norway
Razika - Eg vetsje
There's a new track from Norwegian postpunk/ska? act Razika streaming in the Pitchfork Forkcast: http://pitchfork.com/forkcast/15961-eg-vetsje/
Live Evil 2011: Aura Noir
The 2011 edition of the Live Evil Festival, the UK-based metal fest booked entirely on recommendations culled from Fenriz' vaulted "Band of the Week" posts, has been confirmed for October 22-23 and will feature Aura Noir plus 16 more acts. It's yet to be updated with new info, but you should be able to stay informed of updates here: http://www.liveevilfestival.com/
Pitchfork reviews Ungdomskulen, interviews Jóhann Jóhannsson
Pitchfork reviews the new Ungdomskulen pseudo-novelty project "Gimme ten": http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15554-gimme-ten/
Also at Pfork today, an "Guest List" interview with Icelandic artist Jóhann Jóhannsson: http://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/7985-johann-johannsson/
Problems - Snake oil
New raging hardcore outta Oslo. Look for Problems' new tape to be released this summer.